29th Christmas dinner for seniors
Chief petty officers host annual event
Two-hundred-eighty-one senior citizens and their caregivers enjoyed a traditional Christmas dinner on Dec. 14, at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall in Juneau.
The free dinner was cooked and served by members and their families from the Juneau Chapter of the Chief Petty Officers Association, U.S. Coast Guard. Rear Admiral James W. "Jim" Underwood, an honorary member of this nonprofit association, even pitched in and helped serve the meal.
Master Chief Petty Officer Francis "Frank" Jennings, president of the Juneau chapter, was in charge of the event and made considerable preparations to create it. This was the 29th year for this event.
The Christmas dinner was started in 1974, when Senior Chief Petty Officer C.T. Barger wanted to do something to benefit the Juneau community, especially the senior citizens. The first dinner took place in what was then St. Anne's Nursing Home, with 40 seniors as guests. Entertainment ranged from jazz, to Scottish highland dances complete with bagpipes, to choral music including traditional Christmas carols.
The event has grown over the years, and all the food, door prizes and entertainment are provided by multiple contributors. This year, more than 46 private businesses, individuals and nonprofit organizations donated.